Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.
What Counts as Direct Deposit
145 reports across 1 source. Last report May 5, 2026. Doctor of Credit comments 145.
Employer payroll is always the safest method. "Maybe" means some people report it working and it is not guaranteed. Open a row to see the individual reports.
YESAlly ACH push11 reports · 10 worked · 1 failed · last report Feb 6, 2026General note: Good but softening; fails at Chase. 10 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Feb 2026.
YESEmployer payroll or government benefit deposit10 reports · 4 worked · 6 failed · last report Jan 28, 2026The only near-universal trigger — real payroll or SSA/pension/tax-refund, PPD-coded. 4 member reports of it working, 6 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2026.
YESChase Business (payroll ACH)9 reports · 9 worked · last report Feb 20, 2026General note: Payroll-coded ACH run from Chase Business checking — a sole prop does this legitimately as a Gusto owner's draw (never a fake W-2). 9 member reports of it working, none of it failing, last confirmed Feb 2026.
YESU.S. Bank ACH push6 reports · 5 worked · 1 failed · last report Feb 12, 20265 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Feb 2026.
YESCash App ACH push5 reports · 5 worked · last report Jan 6, 2025General note: P2P at most; works at Capital One. 5 member reports of it working, none of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2025.
YESSoFi ACH push5 reports · 5 worked · last report Apr 19, 2026Good as a sender, but STRICT as a receiver in 2026. 5 member reports of it working, none of it failing, last confirmed Apr 2026.
MAYBECharles Schwab ACH push37 reports · 29 worked · 8 failed · last report Feb 8, 2026General note: Historically strong; deteriorating at Chase/Huntington in early 2026. 29 member reports of it working, 8 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2026.
MAYBECapital One 360 ACH push23 reports · 20 worked · 3 failed · last report May 5, 2026General note: Good; fails at Chase. 20 member reports of it working, 3 of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
MAYBEChase (personal) ACH push16 reports · 11 worked · 5 failed · last report Jan 10, 2026Personal-checking ACH pushes only. 11 member reports of it working, 5 of it failing, last confirmed Nov 2025.
MAYBEDiscover ACH push10 reports · 8 worked · 2 failed · last report Feb 14, 2023General note: Discover Savings ACH; inconsistent, recent failures trending up. 8 member reports of it working, 2 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2023.
MAYBEWells Fargo ACH push7 reports · 5 worked · 2 failed · last report Jan 4, 20265 member reports of it working, 2 of it failing, last confirmed Dec 2025.
MAYBEVenmo ACH push6 reports · 5 worked · 1 failed · last report Apr 19, 2022General note: P2P at most; works at Citi, Capital One, PNC, Citizens, KeyBank. 5 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Apr 2022.
MAYBEFidelity ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksFidelity sends properly coded ACH that works at most banks, but PSECU-specific data is limited. Worth trying as Fidelity has the highest success rate of any workaround.
NOPayPal ACHFrom the bank published terms and our own checksCodes as P2P — does not trigger at credit unions.
NOZelleFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
How we know
Open a PSECU savings and checking account using promo code 2026PROMO, sign up and log in to digital banking online or in the mobile app, and set up and receive two qualifying payroll direct deposits of $500 or more each. PSECU can claw the direct deposit portion back if the payroll deposits are not active for six... Source
The reports come from Doctor of Credit comment threads, public Reddit posts, and members who told us what happened to their own deposit. Each one is dated where the person gave a date. Read how we check offers.
Reports are attached to the offer, never to your name. Members can log one from their account instead.
Source: our guide to what counts as direct deposit, verified per-bank against official terms and community data points (originally compiled with help from Doctor of Credit). Data points change, so always verify with the bank.
Overview
PSECU is currently offering a $300 checking bonus. The core requirement is 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 100 days. The eligible account has no monthly maintenance fee documented in the catalog.
Pros
+$300 cash bonus
+No monthly maintenance fee
+No documented hard credit pull
+Available nationwide, subject to the bank's eligibility rules
+100-day qualification window
Cons
-Lifetime or one-bonus-per-customer language applies
Notes
Enter promo code 2026PROMO during application. Make 2 SINGLE direct deposits of $500 or more each within 100 days. Allow approximately 145 days for the bonus to post after qualification.
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
PSECU's $300 offer is closest in headline value to Capital One's $300 checking bonus. Compare the direct-deposit requirement, geographic eligibility, fees, approval sensitivity, and payout timing, not only the advertised amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current PSECU checking bonus?
PSECU currently advertises $300. The principal requirement is 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 100 days.
Does the PSECU bonus require direct deposit?
Yes. The catalog currently records 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 100 days. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.
When should the PSECU bonus post?
The tracked estimate is about 145 days after you satisfy the requirements.
Open a PSECU savings and checking account using promo code 2026PROMO, sign up and log in to digital banking online or in the mobile app, and set up and receive two qualifying payroll direct deposits of $500 or more each. All of that has to be finished within 100 days of establishing membership. PSECU can claw the direct deposit portion back if the payroll deposits are not active for six consecutive months or if you close the account inside the first year.
Fees
Monthly Fee$0
Free Checking has no monthly fee.
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
Chex SensitivityMedium
Hard PullNo
Soft PullYes
ChexSystems inquiry required; cannot apply with Chex frozen. Soft pull on Experian is reported, and Experian must be unfrozen.
Eligibility
AvailabilityNationwide
Lifetime LimitYes
Must be 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the U.S., and one bonus per tax ID. New language dated 2026-01-02 says prior PSECU new-member incentive recipients are ineligible.
Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission when you open an account through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Commissions do not influence our reviews — we verify offer terms directly with each bank before publishing and do not accept paid placement in our rankings. Bonus offers, requirements, and fees are determined by each financial institution and may change at any time. Always verify the current terms directly with the bank before applying. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
